Reading through the introduction to the Trinity Hymnal (Great Commission Publications – OPC/PCA; 1990 Revised Edition), on page 11, it references three types of Psalms included in the hymnal:
1. Metrical Psalm – “Psalm (number)”
2. Psalm version – “From Psalm (number)”
3. Psalm paraphrase – “Based on Psalm (number)”
In addition, some older ARP churches still use a hymn book called Bible Songs. In the preface it states: “This book does not claim to be a complete psalter, though it contains the whole or parts of every psalm. In many cases a selection of stanzas has been made, and these do not always follow each other in consecutive order. The effort has been to select stanzas which are true to the inspired thought, rich in devotional content and of good lyrical quality. By such selection it is hoped that many rich portions of psalms will be brought into more frequent use.”
And just in general…many uninspired hymns are loosely based on specific psalms.
So, my question is…for those who hold to a strict EP position, how do you define a "psalm"? What qualifies as an acceptable type of psalm to be sung in corporate worship? Would all three types in the Trinity Hymnal and the versions found in the ARP Bible Songs hymn book meet the criteria for adherence to the EP position? What about uninspired hymns that are closely/loosely based on a psalm? How loosely paraphrased can a hymn be based on a psalm before it ceases to be a psalm (i.e. in the sense that EP defines psalm singing)? Would singing type #3 from the Trinity Hymnal or a selection from the ARP Bible Songs book be considered EP?
I see a lot of references to the "metrical psalms" in EP discussions, so does this imply that these are the only preferred/required type to meet the definition of EP?
Thank you!
1. Metrical Psalm – “Psalm (number)”
2. Psalm version – “From Psalm (number)”
3. Psalm paraphrase – “Based on Psalm (number)”
In addition, some older ARP churches still use a hymn book called Bible Songs. In the preface it states: “This book does not claim to be a complete psalter, though it contains the whole or parts of every psalm. In many cases a selection of stanzas has been made, and these do not always follow each other in consecutive order. The effort has been to select stanzas which are true to the inspired thought, rich in devotional content and of good lyrical quality. By such selection it is hoped that many rich portions of psalms will be brought into more frequent use.”
And just in general…many uninspired hymns are loosely based on specific psalms.
So, my question is…for those who hold to a strict EP position, how do you define a "psalm"? What qualifies as an acceptable type of psalm to be sung in corporate worship? Would all three types in the Trinity Hymnal and the versions found in the ARP Bible Songs hymn book meet the criteria for adherence to the EP position? What about uninspired hymns that are closely/loosely based on a psalm? How loosely paraphrased can a hymn be based on a psalm before it ceases to be a psalm (i.e. in the sense that EP defines psalm singing)? Would singing type #3 from the Trinity Hymnal or a selection from the ARP Bible Songs book be considered EP?
I see a lot of references to the "metrical psalms" in EP discussions, so does this imply that these are the only preferred/required type to meet the definition of EP?
Thank you!